Medical accidents are responsible for 65,000 to 200,000 deaths each year, reports the Center for Justice and Democracy. About 25,000 to 120,000 cases are due to medical malpractice, or negligence. The same source states that only 0.3 to 1% of all cases go to trial.
Millions of Americans are misdiagnosed or mistreated by their healthcare providers. As a result, their condition worsens or becomes chronic.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you suspect that medical malpractice may have contributed to your condition, seek professional help. A malpractice lawyer can analyze your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Interested to find out more? Here’s what you should know about malpractice layers and what they can do for you or your loved ones.
What Is a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
Preventable medical errors are responsible for about 10% of all deaths in the U.S. More than 143,700 payments were for medical practice between 2006 and 2016.
While most doctors can easily diagnose and treat allergies, eczema, and other common conditions, that’s not the case with more serious diseases.
For example, chronic knee pain may be due to arthritis, meniscus tears, infections, and everything in between. If your doctor fails to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribes the wrong treatment, your symptoms may worsen.
That’s where a medical malpractice lawyer can help. His role is to assist clients who have been injured by a doctor or healthcare facility while under treatment. You can see more here.
These professionals have legal and medical expertise. They are familiar with the intricacies of the medical system and know how to approach your case. After a throughout evaluation, they can determine what rules were broken and whether you’re a victim of medical negligence.
A medical malpractice attorney may specialize in one or more areas, such as nursing home abuse or birth injuries. The best lawyers are board-certified by a trusted organization and have in-depth knowledge of civil litigation.
What Does a Medical Malpractice Attorney Do?
Whether you’ve been given the wrong prescriptions or caught an infection in the hospital, you may seek legal advice. A medical malpractice lawyer can help in the following situations — and others:
- Unnecessary surgery
- Premature discharge from the hospital
- Poor aftercare
- Improper medication
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Inaccurate or delayed diagnosis
- Failure to interpret tests correctly
When analyzing a case, the attorney will determine if a healthcare provider had a duty of care to the patient and whether there was a breach of duty.
Furthermore, your lawyer must show a causal connection between the breach of duty and your injury. Last, he’s responsible for establishing the extent of the damage to you. This may include debilitating pain, health complications, lost wages, and more.
To complete these steps, a malpractice attorney must gather evidence and review medical records. He may also need to conduct interviews with your healthcare provider, hospital staff, and other parties.
Depending on the situation, your lawyer may advise you to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice or settle out of court. His primary goal is to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Get the Justice and Compensation You Deserve
If you believe that you or a loved one may have been a victim of medical practice, seek help as soon as possible. An experienced malpractice lawyer will fight to make things right.
Perhaps you’re looking for a different type of attorney? An auto accident lawyer, for example, may help in the event of a car crash. Check out our guide to see why it makes sense to hire one!
